The value of the Iowa caucuses

Iowa may be "too white, too evangelical, too rural" to be a good representative of the U.S. electorate, as NBC's Andrea Mitchell puts it. The caucuses, requiring a big commitment of time, may also be an awkward proxy for a real vote. Some people think the likely inconclusive outcome tomorrow proves we should stop paying attention to this exercise.

But those problems aside, the presidential campaign in Iowa has been invaluable. It gave one candidate after another the chance to rise -- and then undergo illuminating and ususually damaging scrutiny. Remember when Rick Perry looked like a formidable candidate? Remember when Michele Bachmann caught fire? Remember Herman Cain and his "9-9-9" plan? Remember when Newt Gingrich looked smart?

It's also exposed the tepid appeal of Mitt Romney, who has avoided most of the pitfalls that have hurt his rivals but has yet to charm many voters. His defects could be ones that matter only in competition for conservative Republicans -- or they could be the sort that will turn off independents and Democrats as well. Either way, he's got a tough road ahead.

It seems like the campaign for Iowa has been going on forever, well past the point of tolerance in normal Americans. But the time has not been wasted.